NEW!: House 6:9 - Wilson

Overall: 6

Aren't you glad Wilson isn't actually the star? Me too!



Plot Synopsis:

While out on a celebratory hunting trip with friend and former patient Tucker, Wilson is nearly shot when Tucker's arm spasms and goes limp. In the ER at PPTH, Wilson notices that Tucker's very young girlfriend has a cold sore and diagnoses Tucker with Transverse Myelitis. He then seeks out House to brag about his new mojo, but House pops his bubble, declaring that Tucker has cancer. Determined to prove House wrong, Wilson agrees to a hundred dollar bet on the diagnosis.

Wilson then goes to visit another patient, a grandfather. Wilson notices that the grandfather is not so quick to brag about his grandchildren and suspects that his second patient has developed a new condition. Before he can pursue the matter further, however, Wilson is called away; Tucker reports that his foot is now tingling. Wilson is disappointed that his first treatment seems to have had no effect and tells Tucker he's going to try something a little stronger. Tucker, in the meantime, asks Wilson to call his teenaged daughter; apparently, Tucker's daughter is not speaking to him because of the somethin'-somethin' he's getting on the side (imagine that!). As Wilson puts in the call, Cuddy comes by and asks Wilson if his ex is still in real estate. Wilson says yes, and Cuddy tells Wilson that she is thinking of moving in with Lucas and wants to get a new place.

Then Tucker's ex and daughter arrive, and they find that Tucker has developed a severe cough. When the cough gets so bad that it impairs Tucker's breathing, Wilson calls for a crash cart. Wilson then goes to consult House's team, enticing them with the opportunity to make House a little poorer. Thirteen suggests that Tucker has a fungal infection. Wilson runs with this diagnosis; he tells Tucker that he will need surgery to treat the infection. Tucker asks his young thing for advice, but Ashley seems unprepared. Tucker's ex takes over in her stead and agrees that surgery is the best option.

Wilson goes to visit another patient on his service and discovers House hiding from Cuddy in that patient's bathroom. House still thinks Tucker has cancer. Wilson tells House to hide somewhere else. Then Cuddy comes in. Excited, she tells Wilson - within earshot of House - that she's found the perfect loft.

As Tucker's surgery proceeds, Wilson watches from the observation gallery. House joins him, remarking that it is strange that Wilson would hide Cuddy's plans from him given that he has already said (last week) that he's cool with Cuddy's new relationship. Just then, Chase reports below that Tucker's lung damage is too extensive; he doesn't have a fungal infection, but PCP pneumonia. House is correct: Tucker has cancer - a second form of leukemia likely caused by the chemo he was given for the first leukemia. Wilson tells Tucker that the cancer is limited to the blood cells in his brain and that he has a 90% chance of being cured with another round of chemo.

Unfortunately, the usual dose of chemo doesn't seem to have the desired effect; thus, Wilson decides to double Tucker's dose. House warns him that this is a dangerous course to take, but Tucker's ex and his daughter both agree that Tucker should take the risk. The double dose of chemo does in fact eliminate the cancer, but it also destroys Tucker's liver. Wilson regretfully informs Tucker that he has a day to live unless he receives a liver transplant. House then comes in and reports that the victim of a motorcycle crash has just been pronounced brain dead, but his sister won't agree to the transplant. House and Wilson try to convince the sister to change her mind, but their efforts are in vain; they take too long, and the motorcyclist's liver becomes unusable.

Wilson tells Tucker he's done everything he can. Tucker disagrees; he demands that Wilson be the donor. House calls Wilson a doormat and urges him not to agree to the donation, and Wilson responds by telling House to pack his things and get out. Back at the hospital, Wilson tells Cuddy he's going to go through with the transplant. Wilson then tells House, then asks House to stay with him during the surgery. House declines, admitting outright that he can't stand the thought that Wilson might die (aw!). Later, as the transplant gets underway, however, we see House in the observation gallery; we also see House hanging out with Wilson in recovery.

Sometime after the transplant, Wilson visits Tucker and discovers that Tucker plans to, once again, dump his wife and return to his young girlfriend. Later, House asks Wilson if he is angry, then chides Wilson for his anemic response, assuring Wilson that it's okay to get angry every once in awhile. When House leaves, Wilson calls his ex to overbid Cuddy on the loft.

Writing: 5

There are a couple of nice moments of honesty from House here. I particularly like his upfront admission that he cannot abide losing Wilson - and I'm sure my co-author appreciates House's confession that he is not over Cuddy, particularly since it seems to come with an intention to leave Cuddy alone for the time being.

Alas, all signs of House's growth aside, I hope the writers never again try to write an episode that inverts the pecking order. I have absolutely nothing against Wilson - I think he's a fine character - but on this show, he's a supporting character for a reason. House is so utterly dependent on, well, House - House's cutting wit, his devil-may-care approach to diagnosis, his combative relationship with his fellows, and even the nature of his case load - that shifting the focus, as this episode does, results in a noticeable loss of zing and pep. This episode's Day - or Weeks, rather - in the Life of Wilson just meanders; there is very little of the usual edginess.

Acting: 6

Is Robert Sean Leonard getting tired? Because for some reason, he is not convincing to me in this episode. In particular, when Wilson throws out House's jello shooters and demands that he leave, I just do not hurt the way I usually would. I understand that Wilson is drunk here, but still - the delivery is off.

Message: 7

I have to give the episode credit for one thing, however: it doesn't deny that the patient of the week is a jerk. As a matter of fact, it allows House to opine multiple times that the patient is such - and I couldn't agree more. A man who takes advantage of his capable and clearly loving ex-wife while he's on death's door - then turns around and pursues a sweet young skirt as soon as he gets a new lease on life - roundly deserves such an appellation. What an utterly wrongheaded view on love and life Tucker must have to think that he should behave differently depending on the state of his health!

Highlights:

WILSON: Call me a doormat - get it all out of your system - but I'm doing it.
HOUSE: Why?
WILSON: He's my friend.
HOUSE: I'm your friend. All the pain pills I've taken - what if I need your liver?
WILSON: Right. How selfish of me not to consider your possible future needs.
HOUSE: They're all dying. They're all your friends.
WILSON: I'm not here for an argument, House.
HOUSE: No, right, that's room 12A. So why are you here? Want to make sure that I've called the moving van?
WILSON: No. The operation is in two hours - and I'd like you to be there with me.
HOUSE: No.
WILSON: Wh - Why?
HOUSE: Because if you die, I'm alone.

HOUSE: Are you ready to admit that he's a self important jerk?
WILSON: I still feel good about what I did.
HOUSE: You're not angry?
WILSON: I'm just... disappointed.
HOUSE: Disappointment is anger for wimps. You don't have to be so gentle about everything. It's okay to get angry every once in a while.
WILSON: You can't change a table.
HOUSE: Actually, you can. You just need a coat of paint and the guts to use it.